Apparatus and method for replacing a defective gate valve

ABSTRACT

A special cutting tool such as a drill is concentrically disposed within a sleeve having external threads at one end. The sleeve is threadably coupled to the downstream end of a new gate valve while the upstream end of the new gate valve is coupled by means of a nipple or the like to the downstream end of an old gate valve that is either stuck, broken or frozen in the closed position and which cannot be moved. With the gate of the new valve in the open position, the drill is axially extended and rotated to remove the gate of the old valve. The drill is then axially withdrawn and the new valve is closed. The sleeve is then unthreaded from the new valve and the pipe line is coupled to the new valve in a conventional manner.

United States Patent Palat Sept. 12, 1972 [54] APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR REPLACING A DEFECTIVE GATE VALVE [72] Inventor: William Palat, 166-25 12th Ave.,

Whitestone, NY. 11357 [22] Filed: Aug. 19, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 65,039

[52] US. Cl. ..29/401, 29/213, 137/15, 137/315 [51] Int. Cl ..B23p 7/00, B23p 19/04 [58] Field of Search ..29/401, 213; 137/15, 315

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,771,096 11/1956 VerNooy ..29/2 13 UX 2,984,129 5/1961 Allen ..29/401 X 3,272,033 9/1966 Leopold et al ..137/15 X 3,561,090 2/1971 Fritch ..29/213 X 3,583,416 6/1971 Nebesnik et al. 1 37/15 I0 0 2o 1 1, 0 I 7' I2 19 9 n l V ml i; i |o 16 I8 Q I I FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 576,521 5/1959 Canada ..137/315 Primary ExaminerJohn F. Campbell Assistant Examiner-Donald C. Reiley, III Attorney-Leonard H. King [57] ABSTRACT A special cutting tool such as a drill is concentrically disposed within a sleeve having external threads at one end. The sleeve is threadably coupled to the downstream end of a new gate valve while the upstream end of the new gate valve is coupled by means of a nipple or the like to the downstream end of an old gate valve that is either stuck, broken or frozen in the closed position and which cannot be moved. With the gate of the new valve in the open position, the drill is axially extended and rotated to remove the gate of the old valve. The drill is then axially withdrawn and the new valve is closed. The sleeve is then unthreaded from the new valve and the pipe line is coupled to the new valve in a conventional manner.

7 Claims, 1 Drawing Figure PATENTED SEP 12 I972 m m mm MMA HM fw ATTORNEY APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR REPLACING A DEFECTIVE GATE VALVE The aforementioned abstract is neither intended to define the invention of the application which, of course, is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way.

The present invention relates generally to valves and more particularly to apparatus for and a method of replacing an inoperative gate valve.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION It is not an uncommon occurrence to have a valve stick in the closed position. The valve may either bebroken or the threads frozen as a result of lack of use over a long period of time. This is an extremely troublesome malfunction when the broken or frozen valve is the main valve leading into a building. Obviously, the valve body cannot be simply-removed and replaced since it represents the primary fluid inlet for the building and is, therefore, subject to extreme pressures. Therefore, it has been necessary in the past to excavate and shut off the street valve to permit replacement of the main valve to the water supply coming into the building. Obviously, this isan expensive and inconvenient procedure.

The present invention overcomes the need for excavating and shutting off the street valve in the situation described above. A nipple or adapter is connected to the downstream end of the old valve and a new valve is then connected to the downstream end of the nipple. A sleeve, having external threads, is coupled to the downstream end of the new valve and, with the new valve in the open position, a special drill is used to remove the old gate. The drill is then moved downstream of the new valve which may then be closed. Once the new valve is closed, the sleeve and the drill are uncoupled therefrom and the remaining pipe is then threaded into the new valve.

Both the method and apparatus just described provide means for replacing a frozen main valve without the need for excavating and shutting off the street valve.

Accordingly, it is a primary object of this invention to provide improved apparatus for removing a frozen main valve in a pipe line extending from a supply of water into a building or the like.

Another important object of this invention is to provide an improved method for replacing an inoperative main valve as described above.

These and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will, in part, be pointed out with particularity and will, in part, become obvious from the following more detailed description of the invention taken into conjunction with the accompanying drawing which forms an integral part thereof.

In the drawing the sole FIGURE is a side elevational view partially schematic and partially in section, illustrating the structure and method comprising the present invention. 1

While the description that follows will be directed to a gate type valve, and a drill for removing the gate thereof, it should be clearly understood that these terms are used generically. Other valves and other metal cutting tools may also be used, the selection of the metal cutting tool being a function of the structure of the valve that is to be removed.

A defective gate valve 10 is shown coupled downstream of the main supply pipe 11 leading from a street valve (not shown) into a building or the like (not shown).

For the purpose of this description it is to be understood that the gate 10' is inoperative in the closed position. The downstream end of the valve 10 has an internal thread 12. A nipple or adapter 14 is coupled to the downstream end of the valve 10 by means of external threads 16. At the opposite end of the nipple 14 there is provided external threads 18. A new gate valve 20 is coupled to the external threads '18 of the nipple 14 by means of internal threads 19 at the upstream end thereof. In the usual manner, the downstream end of the new valve 20 is provided with internal threads 22. As shown in the drawing, the gate 20' of the valve 20 is displaced to the open position.

The apparatus of the present invention comprises a sleeve 24 having external threads 26 at one end thereof adapted to mate with the internal threads 22 of the new valve 20. A transverse shoulder 27 is formed externally of the sleeve 24 which also has a first internal bore 28 and a second, coaxial bore 30 that define a transverse interface 32 therebetween. The downstream end of the sleeve 24 is provided with a packing gland 34 which is captured by a packing nut 36 that is threadably coupled to the sleeve 24.

A specially. formed cutting tool, such as a drill bit 38, is coaxially positioned within and longitudinally movable with respect to the sleeve 24. The drill bit 38 has a cutting end 40 that need only be long enough to traverse the thickness of the gate 10. The diameter of the cutting end 40 is sized so as to remove substantially all of the gate 10'. The shank 42 of the drill bit 38 which is secured to a drill D in a conventional manner, extends axially from the cutting end 40 and is smooth so as to sealingly engage the annular packing gland 34. It should be noted that the diameter of the shank 42 is slightly less than the diameter of the bore 30 so as to permit free running therein. However, sealing between the shank 42 and the packing gland 34 is provided in a conventional manner.

It is also contemplated that optionally another sealing member 46 may be mounted intermediate the interface 44 between the cutting portion 40 and the shank portion 42 and the interface 32. Thus a seal is achieved either between the downstream end of the cutting portion 40 and the interface 32 when the seal 46 is not used or between the sealing member 46, the interface 32 and the shank portion 42. If desired, the sealing member may be made integral either with the drill bit 38 or the sleeve 24.

The invention finds particular utility in the installation of sprinkler systems in private homes where the typical, flow restricting globe valve must be replaced by gate valve.

As mentioned hereinabove, the method comprising the present invention obviates the need for shutting off the street valve of a'main water supply into a building or the like. Instead a nipple 14 is coupled to the defective valve 10 at the downstream end thereof and a new valve 20 is coupled to the downstream end of the nipple 14. The sleeve 24 is coupled to the downstream end of the new valve and then the drill 38 is moved axially so as to engage and cut through the gate 10' of the defective valve 10.

At this time, the drill 38 may be moved axially away from the old valve and past the gate of the new valve 20. Seal 36 and seal 46 prevent the leakage of an excess quantity of water before the new valve 20 can be moved to the closed position. It should be noted that the new valve 20 may be opened temporarily to flush out any debris resulting from the cutting of the old gate 10'.

Although it has not been specifically described it should be understood that many types of seals are available. Many of the well known seals provide a running fit between the stationary and the rotary members.

There has been disclosed heretofore the best embodiment of the invention presently contemplated. However, it is to be understood that various changes and modifications may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. Apparatus for replacing a first valve having a gate that is closed and inoperative with a second valve coupled to the first valve downstream thereof, said apparatus comprising:

a. sleeve means adapted to be coupled to the downstream end of the second valve;

b. a cutting tool coaxially positioned within said sleeve means, said cutting tool being axially movable past the first and second valves; and

c. means for providing a fluid seal between said sleeve means and said cutting tool.

2. The apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said sleeve means comprises first and second coaxial bores defining a transverse interface therebetween and said cutting tool is a drill having a shank portion and cutting edges sufficiently long to traverse the gate of the first valve, said cutting edges being positioned in said first bore, said shank portion being positioned within said second bore.

3. The apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said seal means comprises a packing gland positioned proximate the downstream end of said sleeve means and a packing nut for compressing said packing gland about said cutting tool.

4. The apparatus in accordance with claim 2 wherein said seal means comprises an annular member positioned intermediate the downstream end of said cutting edges and said interface.

5. The apparatus in accordance with claim 4 wherein said seal means is secured to and rotatable with said cutting tool.

6. The apparatus in accordance with claim 4 wherein said seal means is secured to said interface.

7. A method for replacing a valve having a gate that is closed and inoperative, said method comprising the steps of:

a. coupling a second valve to the inoperative valve downstream thereof, the second valve initially being in the open position;

b. passing a cutting tool through the second valve;

c. operating the cutting tool so as to remove the gate of the inoperative valve;

d. withdrawing the cutting tool past the second valve;

and

e. closing the gate of the second valve. 

1. Apparatus for replacing a first valve having a gate that is closed and inoperative with a second valve coupled to the first valve downstream thereof, said apparatus comprising: a. sleeve means adapted to be coupled to the downstream end of the second valve; b. a cutting tool coaxially positioned within said sleeve means, said cutting tool being axially movable past the first and second valves; and c. means for providing a fluid seal between said sleeve means and said cutting tool.
 2. The apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said sleeve means comprises first and second coaxial bores defining a transverse interface therebetween and said cutting tool is a drill having a shank portion and cutting edges sufficiently long to traverse the gate of the first valve, said cutting edges being positioned in said first bore, said shank portion being positioned within said second bore.
 3. The apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said seal means comprises a packing gland positioned proximate the downstream end of said sleeve means and a packing nut for compressing said packing gland about said cutting tool.
 4. The apparatus in accordance with claim 2 wherein said seal means comprises an annular member positioned intermediate the downstream end of said cutting edges and said interface.
 5. The apparatus in accordance with claim 4 wherein said seal means is secured to and rotatable with said cutting tool.
 6. The apparatus in accordance with claim 4 wherein said seal means is secured to said interface.
 7. A method for replacing a valve having a gate that is closed and inoperative, said method comprising the steps of: a. coupling a second valve to the inoperative valve downstream thereof, the second valve initially being in the open position; b. passing a cutting tool through the second valve; c. operating the cutting tool so as to remove the gate of the inoperative valve; d. withdrawing the cutting tool past the second valve; and e. closing the gate of the second valve. 